Do Buyers Look At Homes When It Is Zero Outside?

I've had a great week! I showed homes on Monday when it was 13 degrees outside, took a break on Tuesday because of road conditions due to freezing rain, snow and sleet, then was out with the same couple on Wednesday when we had a little warm spell - 23 degrees. Today I was out with a different couple; it was 8 degrees outside. We are going out to look at more homes tomorrow when it is supposed to be zero with way below zero windchill factor.
A lesson to be learned here, my friends. Serious buyers are out looking at homes NOW. Both couples missed seeing some great homes because the driveways weren't plowed, or the driveway was plowed but the walkway wasn't shoveled and the buyers did not want to trudge through snow and ice. Other homes had very brief showings because the home was unheated and the buyers were freezing and wanted to get back to the warmth of the car.
If you are serious about selling your home, you must plow your drive, shovel your walkway, clean off the deck and any steps leading into your home and keep some heat on. The thermostat doesn't have to be set high; most of the vacant heated homes we visited had the heat set at 50 - and it felt warm inside. One home we visited this week was done halfway - it was plowed and shoveled, but the deck wasn't cleared off and I couldn't open the storm door because of the snow and ice build up (despite how much I kicked at it - the snow and ice, not the door!) The buyers didn't get to see that house either.

So let's plow through this winter and get your house sold!

Is Your Home Priced to Sell?

Pricing your home is both an art and a science. Achieving the optimal price is the result both of objective research into comparable properties and a gut feeling about your property and the current market. The right price should attract buyers, allow you to earn the most money possible and help you sell as quickly as possible.


The simple fact is, price is the number one factor that helps homebuyers determine which homes they want to view. And it's important to remember that, although the price is set by you, the value of your home is determined by the buyer. Try to avoid allowing your enthusiasm to impact your better judgement - overpricing is a common mistake that can cost you in the end.

With that in mind, here are some reliable guides to use when pricing your home, all of which come recommended by the Council of Residential Specialists - a select group of REALTORS with significant experience and advanced training in residential sales.

Factors that affect your asking price:

•How quickly you need to sell

•The amount of competition in your price category and area

•The availability, flexibility and affordability of financing

•The sale prices of similar homes sold in your area during the past six months.

Factors that should NOT affect your asking price:

•The original cost of the property; price is determined by today's market

•Any investments you've made in improvements

•The cost to build your home today

•Emotional attachment

•The opinions of friends and neighbors

Problems that can arise from overpricing:

•You might help sell similar homes that are priced lower

•Your home may stay on the market longer

•You could lose market interest and qualified buyers

•You might create a negative impression of the property

•You could lose money by making extra mortgage payments while incurring taxes, insurance and unplanned maintenance costs

•You may have to accept less money

•A ptotential buyer may face appraisal and financing problems as a result of the inflated price

A Certified Residential Specialist like myself can help you price right. With a mix of real world experience and advanced training, a Certified Residential Specialist has the tools necessary to compute the fair market value of your home based on both the marketplace and personal considerations such as your must-sell date. Remember, the right price is the key to a successful sale so price your home accurately the first time.